Plug-in module for portable computing device

ABSTRACT

A plug-in module adds functionality to a portable electronic device. The module includes a housing that is accepted by a housing port of the portable electronic device. The module includes at least one latch to secure the module to the electronic device. Each latch includes a first member, a second member, and a third member. The housing includes at least one receptacle corresponding to each latch. The receptacles are sized and positioned to accept a member of the latch and direct the latch to a groove located on the portable electronic device. Optionally, the latch includes a slip-resistant surface sized to accept a human finger or thumb. The module also preferably includes a hardware interface connector sized and positioned within the housing to engage a 120-pin hardware interface port on the portable electronic device when the module housing is positioned on the housing port of the portable electronic device. Receptacles of the electric connector have certain functionality corresponding to the pins on the port.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to provisional application entitled“Plug-In Module for Portable Computing Device,” filed Oct. 17, 2000,having a Ser. No. 60/240,859, now abandoned, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for addingfunctionality to a portable computing device. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a plug-in module for use with a portablecomputing device. The module may include a latching mechanism to securethe module to the apparatus, a pin or hole connector designed totransfer data, signals, or other communications between the plug-inmodule and the portable computing device, and optionally otherfunctionality.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computing devices, such as personal computers, main frames, lap topcomputers, pocket PCs, personal digital assistants, portable analog ordigital analyzers, and the like provide users with specificfunctionality based on the design and features of the device. Astechnology, usage patterns, and user requirements change, users maydesire to add additional functionality to a portable computing device.Such devices are particularly desirable in connection with portablediagnostic equipment, such as analog or digital analyzers. For example,a diagnostic device such as an engine analyzer may serve to collect andanalyze multiple aspects of an engine or vehicle, including aspects ofvehicle operation such as emissions component, system pressure, fluidpressure, system temperature, and other aspects of conditions.

However, the prior art plug-in modules do not provide functionality toall types of electronic devices. For example, a plug-in module is notavailable that security attaches to, and interfaces with, certainportable electronic devices having a 120-pin or 120-receptacle hardwareinterface port.

If a module were available that could interface with such a portableelectronic or computing device, the device could receive additionalmemory, software, features, hardware and functionality. Such a modulemay also facilitate the use of software, features and functionality forother portable computing devices, as well as previous versions ofportable computing devices. In addition, it is desirable that such amodule latch onto the portable computing device so that it does not falloff of the device when transported, but that the module also be easilyremovable when it is not needed, or when a replacement module isdesired.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved plug-in module for aportable electronic or computing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a feature and advantage of the present invention toprovide an improved plug-in module for a portable electronic orcomputing device.

The above and other features and advantages are achieved through the useof a novel plug-in module as herein disclosed. In accordance with oneembodiment of the invention, a plug-in module adds functionality to aportable electronic device. The module includes a housing that is of asize appropriate to be accepted by a housing port of the portableelectronic device. The module includes at least one latch to secure themodule to the electronic device. Each latch includes a first member, asecond member, and a third member, and each member has a first end and asecond end. The first end of the first member is connected to the firstend of the second member such that the first and second members alsoform an angle of between 60° and 130°. The second end of the firstmember is connected to the first end of the third member such that thefirst and third members form an angle of between 60° and 130°. Thehousing includes at least one receptacle corresponding to each latch.The receptacles are sized and positioned to accept a latch and directthe latch to a groove, such as a notch, located on the portableelectronic device so that the third member of the latch mates with thegroove or notch and secures the housing to the portable electronicdevice.

Optionally, the latch includes a slip-resistant surface, sized to accepta human finger or thumb. Such a slip-resistant surface may be connectedto the second end of the second member of the latch. Also optionally,the latch includes a notch positioned substantially at the point wherethe first member connects to the second member. The notch of the latchis sized and positioned to engage a raised portion or rib located on theinterior surface of the housing when the latch is inserted into thereceptacle and positioned to mate with the groove or notch of thehousing.

The embodiment also optionally includes a hardware interface connectorsized and positioned within the housing to engage a hardware interfaceport on the portable electronic device when the module housing ispositioned on the housing port of the portable electronic device. Thehardware interface port and hardware interface connector comprise120-pin or 120-receptacle connectors or ports.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, anapparatus for adding functionality to a portable electronic deviceincludes a housing sized to be accepted by a housing port of a portableelectronic device. The housing includes an interior portion, and ahardware interface connector is positioned within the interior portionso that it may be accepted by a hardware interface port on the portableelectronic device. The interface connector has between 1 and 120receptacles sized and positioned to mate with and correspond to one ormore pins of a hardware interface port on the portable electronicdevice. The receptacles on the connector form two rows in parallel suchthat each receptacle is positioned to be numbered corresponding to itsposition in one of the rows. One of the two rows includes receptaclepositions 1 through 60, and the other of the two rows includesreceptacle positions 61 through 120. Receptacle positions 1 and 61 arelocated at corresponding ends of each row, and receptacle positions 60and 120 are located at the other corresponding ends of each row.Receptacle positions 1 and 120 are located at opposite ends of each row,and receptacle positions 60 and 61 are also located at opposite ends ofeach row.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present apparatus, at least oneof the receptacles on the connector corresponds to at least one ofpositions 50, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73,74, 76, 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 88, 89, 105, 106, 108, and 110,and such receptacle or receptacles also correspond to a bus, such as amicroprocessor interface bus, located within the portable electronicdevice.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, at leastone of the receptacles corresponds to at least one of positions 111,112, 113, 114, 116, 118, and 120, and such receptacle or receptaclesrelate to power.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, at leastone of the receptacles corresponds to at least one of positions 3, 5, 7,9, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67, 71, 75, 79,83, 87, 91, 95, 99, 103, 107, 109, 115, 117, and 119, and suchreceptacle or receptacles correspond to an electrical ground.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention at leastone of the receptacles corresponds to at least one of positions 90, 92,93, 96, 97, 100, 101, 102, 104, and 105, and such receptacle orreceptacles correspond to a microprocessor discrete input/output.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention at leastone of the receptacles corresponds to at least one of positions 2, 4, 6,8, 10, 12–14, 16–18, 20–22, 24–26, 28–30, 32–34, 36–38 and 40, and suchreceptacle or receptacles correspond to a field programmable gate array(FPGA) discrete input/output.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described below andwhich will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein, and the abstract set forth below, are for the purposeof description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary portable electronic device and plug-inmodule in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the portable electronic device in FIG. 1 with analternate embodiment of the plug-in module.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away perspective view illustrating a preferredembodiment of the latching of the plug-in module to an electronicdevice.

FIG. 4 is a planar view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinventive module.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinventive module illustrating an alternate latch.

FIG. 6 is a planar view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinventive module, illustrating a preferred electric connector.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the exemplary hardware of anelectronic device with which the present inventive module may interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved plug-in module for a portableelectronic device, such as a portable computer, pocket PC, personaldigital assistant, analog or digital analyzer, electronic game, or otherelectronic device. The module may include a computer processor or memorystoring program instructions for adding functionality to the electronicapparatus, or the module may include hardware to accept a computermemory containing computer program instructions and deliver suchinstructions to the electronic device or to add processing capability tothe device.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveplug-in module for a portable electronic device. Referring to FIG. 1, aportable electronic device 5 includes a module port 6 that may accept aplug-in module 2. The electronic device illustrated in FIG. 1 is aportable engine analyzer, such as that which may be used to measure andanalyze various aspects of the operation of a vehicle. However, theelectronic device may in fact be any type of analyzer or other type ofportable electronic or computing device such as a pocket PC or apersonal digital assistant, a remote control, an electronic game, or anyother portable electronic device. The electronic apparatus includes ahardware interface port 4 such as a 120-pin or 120-receptacle connectorto provide an interface between the plug-in module and the electronicdevice. The plug-in module 2 mates with the module port 6 of theelectronic device. The module port 6 includes one or more extensionssuch as 8 and 13 that form grooves or notches such as 9 within the port.The module includes a means to secure the module 2 to the device 5 suchas one or more latches 7 that secure the module 2 to the electronicdevice 5 during normal operation.

The electronic device illustrated in FIG. 1 is a vehicle engineanalyzer. Such an analyzer may serve to collect and analyze multipleaspects of an engine or vehicle, including aspects of the vehicleoperations such as emissions components, system pressure, fluidpressure, system temperature, and other aspects or conditions. However,if the analyzer cannot provide all of the above functions, or if it isdesirable to add a different type of functionality to the analyzer suchas the ability to measure amps, vibration, or other aspects, the plug-inmodule may include a computer program memory containing computer programinstructions that instruct the electronic apparatus to perform suchfunctions. The module may also provide processing hardware that can beused by the electronic device when performing such functions. Suchmemory and/or processing hardware may be included in the module itself,or the module may simply contain communications hardware that providesan interface between the hardware interface port of the portableelectronic device and an external memory or processor.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement where themodule serves as an interface between a separate memory or processingcartridge and the electronic device. Referring to FIG. 2, plug-in module2 is connected to portable electronic device 5. The module 2 includes aport 12 that accepts an external cartridge 10. Cartridge 10 includes acomputer processor and/or computer memory that adds functionality to theelectronic device 5.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary latch and its use to secure the plug-inmodule to an electronic device. Referring to FIG. 3, one end of a firstmember 31 is connected to an end of a second member 32, and the otherend of the first member 31 is connected to an end of a third member 33to form the latch 30. The members are connected such that the angles 34and 35 made by the connection of the members are between 60° and 130°.Preferably, first member 31 is substantially perpendicular to the secondmember 32 and third member 33. Also preferably, the second member 32 andthird member 33 are substantially parallel to each other. The latch 30may include a notch 36 positioned to mate with a raised surface or riblocated within the housing of the plug-in module. The third member 33 issized to fit within a groove 51 located on the plug-in module. Latch 30optionally includes a finger rest 37 sized to receive a human finger orthumb to facilitate insertion of the latch 30 into the plug-in module.Preferably and optionally, the finger rest 37 includes a slip resistantportion such as one or more ribs 38 that reduce the likelihood that afinger will slip on the finger rest 37 when engaging the latch 30.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away illustration, illustrating two latches 30 and 40and a portion of the module 2 so that the position of the latches withinthe module and in reference to the electronic device may be understood.Referring again to FIG. 3, at least one latch such as 30 and/or 40 isinserted into a plug-in module 2 to secure the module 2 to a portableelectronic device such as that identified as 5 in FIG. 1. Referring toFIG. 3, the module includes at least one receptacle or groove 51 formedby a cap such as 52 or 53. The groove 51 is sized and positioned toreceive the third member 33 of a latch 30 when the latch 30 is insertedinto the plug in module. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, when the module 2is attached to the device 5 the groove or grooves 51 in the module 2receive the latch 30, and the third member 33 of the latch is directedto the notch or notches 9 of the device 5 to secure the module 2 to thedevice 5. FIG. 3 illustrates latch 30 before it is fully inserted intothe module and groove 51, and latch 40 after it is inserted into thegroove formed by cap 53.

FIG. 4 provides a planar illustration of the present inventive modulewhen two latches are inserted into the module. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 4, when the latch is completely inserted into themodule 2 and engaged with the electronic device, the finger rest 37portion of the latch is the only portion that is externally visible,while other portions of the latch are hidden or substantially hiddenwithin the module 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a means to latch thehousing to the electronic apparatus. Referring to FIG. 5, the housing toincludes a locking finger 92 positioned at a point to mate with thenotch (as illustrated by 9 of FIG. 1) of the portable electronic devicewhen the housing is placed into the housing port of the electronicdevice. In this embodiment, the housing includes a space 91 to provideflexibility of the finger 92 so that the finger 92 may be squeezed andlocked into the notch or receptacle of the electronic device. The finger92 is preferably angled to come to a point 93 such that the housing maybe removed from the electronic device with moderate force.

The plug in module includes a memory or computer processor that addsfunctionality to the portable electronic device, or a means to connectsuch a memory or processor to the device. This functionality isdelivered to the device through an electrical connector. An exemplaryelectrical connector is illustrated in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6,electrical connector 100 is positioned within the module 2 and mateswith the hardware interface port of the portable electronic device whenthe module 2 is attached to the electronic device. The electricalconnector 100 includes up to 120 receptacles positioned to mate with thepins of the hardware interface port. The location and functionality ofthe receptacles of connector 100 are positioned to correspond to thefunctions of pins of the hardware interface port. In an alternateembodiment, the connector 100 includes pins and the hardware interfaceport of the electronic device includes receptacles.

FIG. 6 illustrates the numbering system for each receptacle. Theinterface connector has between 1 and 120 receptacles sized andpositioned to receive and correspond to one or more pins of a hardwareinterface port on the portable electronic device. The receptacles on theconnector form two rows in parallel such that each receptacle ispositioned to be numbered corresponding to its position in one of therows. One of the two rows includes receptacle positions 1 through 60,and the other of the two rows includes receptacle positions 61 through120. Receptacle positions 1 and 61 are located at corresponding ends ofeach row, and receptacle positions 60 and 120 are located at the othercorresponding ends of each row. Receptacle positions 1 and 120 arelocated at opposite ends of each row, and receptacle positions 60 and 61are also located at opposite ends of each row. It is not necessary thatthe connector 100 contain all 120 receptacles. Rather, at least onereceptacle must have corresponding functionality as follows:

In accordance with one embodiment of the present apparatus, at least oneof the receptacles on the connector corresponds to at least one ofpositions 50, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73,74, 76, 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 88, 89, 105, 106, 108, and 110,and such receptacle or receptacles also correspond to a bus, such as amicroprocessor interface bus, located within the portable electronicdevice.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, at leastone of the receptacles corresponds to at least one of positions 111,112, 113, 114, 116, 118, and 120, and such receptacle or receptaclesrelate to power.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, at leastone of the receptacles corresponds to at least one of positions 3, 5, 7,9, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67, 71, 75, 79,83, 87, 91, 95, 99, 103, 107, 109, 115, 117, and 119, and suchreceptacle or receptacles correspond to an electrical ground.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention at leastone of the receptacles corresponds to at least one of positions 90, 92,93, 96, 97, 100, 101, 102, 104, and 105, and such receptacle orreceptacles correspond to a microprocessor discrete input/output.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention at leastone of the receptacles corresponds to at least one of positions 2, 4, 6,8, 10, 12–14, 16–18, 20–22, 24–26, 28–30, 32–34, 36–38 and 40, and suchreceptacle or receptacles correspond to a field programmable gate array(FPGA) discrete input/output.

The following chart illustrates the possible functionality of each pinand corresponding receptacle on the hardware interface port andelectronic connector.

Pin Function  1 NC  2 HIP 1 (FPGA I/O)  3 Ground  4 HIP 2 (FPGA I/O)  5Ground  6 HIP 3 (FPGA I/O)  7 Ground  8 HIP 4 (FPGA I/O)  9 Ground  10IRQ6A (FPGA I/O)  11 Ground  12 D0 (FPGA I/O)  13 D1 (FPGA I/O)  14 D2(FPGA I/O)  15 Ground  16 D3 (FPGA I/O)  17 D4 (FPGA I/O)  18 D5 (FPGAI/O)  19 Ground  20 D6 (FPGA I/O)  21 D7 (FPGA I/O)  22 D8 (FPGA I/O) 23 Ground  24 D9 (FPGA I/O)  25 D10 (FPGA I/O)  26 D11 (FPGA I/O)  27Ground  28 A12 (FPGA I/O)  29 A13 (FPGA I/O)  30 A14 (FPGA I/O)  31Ground  32 NOT A15 (FPGA I/O)  33 EN (FPGA I/O)  34 WR (FPGA I/O)  35Ground  36 NOT AS (FPGA I/O)  37 NOT CS4 (FPGA I/O)  38 NOT CSRAM (FPGAI/O)  39 Ground  40 CARIN FPGA I/O  41 NC  42 NC  43 Ground  44 NC  45TD0  46 TD1  47 Ground  48 NC  49 TCK  50 NOT HRESET  51 Ground  52ENETRXD  53 IC1  54 IC2  55 Ground  56 D (0)  57 D (1)  58 D (2)  59Ground  60 D (3)  61 D (4)  62 D (5)  63 Ground  64 D (6)  65 D (7)  66D (8)  67 Ground  68 D (9)  69 D (10)  70 D (11)  71 Ground  72 D (12) 73 D (13)  74 D (14)  75 Ground  76 D (15)  77 A (22)  78 A (23)  79Ground  80 A (24)  81 A (25)  82 A (26)  83 Ground  84 A (27)  85 A (28) 86 A (29)  87 Ground  88 A (30)  89 A (31)  90 PA (6)  91 Ground  92 PA(7)  93 PA (12)  94 NC  95 Ground  96 PC (8)  97 PC (9)  98 NC  99Ground 100 PB (18) 101 PB (30) 102 PB (29) 103 Ground 104 PB (28) 105NOT CSISI 106 READ/NOT WRIGHT 107 Ground 108 NOT SRESET 109 Ground 110NOT TA 111 +3.3 V DC 112 +3.3 V DC 113 +5 V DC 114 +5 V DC 115 Ground116 BATTERY B+ 117 Ground 118 BATTERY B+ 119 Ground 120 EXT +12 V DC

FIG. 7 illustrates the internal components of an exemplary electronicdevice. Such components may interface with the module through thehardware interface port. Referring to FIG. 7, a hardware expansionmodule 701 such as that in an automotive scope interfaces with ahardware interface port 702. Certain pins or receptacles on the hardwareinterface port 702 provide communication to and from the controller 704via interface bus 703 within the portable electronic device. Thehardware interface port 702 may also serve to communicate discreteinput/output signals via interface bus 703 to the expansion module, andthe expansion module may share input/output signals 705 and/or 706 withone or more FPGA components within the electronic device such as 707and/or 708.

In order to provide a shock-resistant plug-in module, it may bedesirable to incorporate an elastomeric member to absorb or reduce shockwhen the unit is dropped or otherwise subjected to an impact. At leastone such member is described in the co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/702,801, entitled “Shock Absorbing Apparatus,” which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fallwithin the true spirits and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention.

1. An apparatus for adding functionality to a portable electronicdevice, comprising: a housing having an interior portion, said housingsized to be received by a housing port of a portable electronic device,said housing port disposed within an interior portion of the portableelectronic device; and a hardware interface connector disposed withinthe interior portion of the housing and in connection with a hardwareinterface port disposed within the housing port of the portableelectronic device, wherein at least a portion of the housing is disposedwithin the interior portion of the portable electronic device when thehardware interface connector is in connection with the hardwareinterface port, the hardware interface connector having between 1 and120 receptacles, the hardware interface port having 120 pins, saidreceptacles configured to correspond to a pin in the hardware interfaceport, said receptacles further forming two rows in parallel such thateach receptacle is positioned to be numbered corresponding to itsposition in one of the rows, wherein one of the two rows includesreceptacle positions 1 through 60, the other of the two rows includesreceptacle positions 61 through 120, receptacle positions 1 and 61 beinglocated at corresponding ends of each row, receptacle positions 60 and120 being located at opposite ends of each row, receptacle positions 1and 120 being located at opposite ends of each row, and receptaclepositions 60 and 61 being located at opposite ends of each row; andsecuring means for securing said portable electronic device to saidhousing.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of thereceptacles corresponding to at least one of positions 50, 56, 57, 58,60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73, 74, 76, 77, 80, 81, 82, 84,85, 86, 88, 89, 105, 106, 108, and 110 corresponds to a bus locatedwithin the portable electronic device.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one of the receptacles corresponding to at least one ofpositions 111, 112, 113, 114, 116, 118, and 120 corresponds to power. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the receptaclescorresponding to at least one of positions 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 19, 23,27, 31, 35, 39, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67, 71, 75, 79, 83, 87, 91, 95, 99,103, 107, 109, 115, 117 and 119 corresponds to an electrical ground. 5.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the receptaclescorresponding to at least one of positions 90, 92, 93, 96, 97, 100, 101,102, 104, and 105 corresponds to discrete input to or output from amicroprocessor within the portable electronic device.
 6. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein at least one of the receptacles corresponding to atleast one of positions 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12–14, 16–18, 20–22, 24–26,28–30, 32–34, 36–38 and 40, corresponds to discrete input to or outputfrom a field programmable gate array within the portable electronicdevice.
 7. A method of adding functionality to a portable electronicdevice, comprising the steps of: sizing a housing to be accepted by ahousing port of a portable electronic device, the housing having aninterior portion; providing a hardware interface connector disposedwithin the interior portion of the housing, said hardware interfaceconnector having between 1 and 120 receptacles, wherein said receptaclesare arranged in two parallel rows such that each receptacle ispositioned to be numbered corresponding to its position in one of therows, wherein one of the two rows includes receptacle positions 1through 60, the other of the two rows includes receptacle positions 61and 120, receptacle positions 1 and 61 being located at correspondingends or each row, receptacle positions 60 and 120 being located atcorresponding ends of each row, receptacle positions 1 and 120 beinglocated at opposite ends of each row, and receptacle positions 60 and 61being located at opposite ends of each row; providing a hardwareinterface port disposed within the housing port, the hardware interfaceport having 120 pins; connecting the hardware interface port to thehardware interface connector within the interior portion of the housing;configuring said receptacles to correspond to a pin in the hardwareinterface port; and securing the portable electronic device to saidhousing.
 8. An apparatus for adding functionality to a portableelectronic device, comprising: a housing having an interior portion,said housing sized to be received by a housing port of a portableelectronic device, said housing port disposed within an interior portionof the portable electronic device; a hardware interface connectordisposed within the interior portion of the housing and connected to ahardware interface port disposed within the housing port of the portableelectronic device, the hardware interface connector having a pluralityof receptacles, the hardware interface port having a plurality of pinswherein said receptacles are configured to correspond to a pin in thehardware interface port, wherein at least a portion of the housing isdisposed within the interior portion of the portable electronic devicewhen the hardware interface connector is in connection with the hardwareinterface port; and securing means for securing said portable electronicdevice to said housing; wherein the hardware interface connector hasbetween 1 and 120 receptacles and the hardware interface port has 120pins, wherein said receptacles are arranged in two parallel rows suchthat each receptacle is positioned to be numbered corresponding to itsposition in one of the rows, wherein on of the two rows includesreceptacle positions 1 through 60, the other of the two rows includesreceptacle positions 61 and 120, receptacle positions 1 and 61 beinglocated at corresponding ends of each row, receptacle positions 60 and120 being located at corresponding ends of each row, receptaclepositions 1 and 120 being located at opposite ends of each row, andreceptacle positions 60 and 61 being located at opposite ends of eachrow.